PHOTO GALLERY: 2016 Hillsborough County Political Mixer

With the November elections right around the corner, Plant City residents gathered Wednesday, Sept. 21, to learn about the candidates who made it past the primaries. 

The event, organized by Donn Scott, was held at Top Shelf Sports Bar and Grill on Reynolds Street. Voters mingled with candidates on the Democrat and Republican tickets, including Hillsborough County Commissioner District 6 candidate Pat Kemp, Clerk of Court candidate Eric Seidel, United States Congressional candidate Jim Lange,  Florida House of Representatives District 58 candidate Jose Vasquez, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser incumbent Bob Henriquez, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser candidate Todd Jones and Hillsborough County Commissioner District 6 candidate Tim Schock. 

Kemp and Schock will face off in November, as will Henriquez and Jones. Vasquez is up against incumbent Rep. Dan Raulerson. Seidel will take on Clerk incumbent Pat Frank.

Catering was provided by Top Shelf Bar and Grill and 1916 Irish Pub. The general election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 8. 

Meet the Candidates 

SNAPSHOT: Pat Kemp 
Running for: Hillsborough County Commission, District 6 
Party: Democrat 
Occupation: Lawyer, Solar Panel Sales 

Prior Experience: Conservation and Legal Chair of Tampa Bay Sierra Club; Democratic Party of Hillsborough County Chair; Environmental Caucus of Florida Chair; past president of Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association; Tampa Crossroads for Veterans and Homeless Board Leadership; chief aide to Congresswoman Kathy Castor
Top Three Issues: Transit/Transportation, Smart Growth and 100% renewable future by 2050 

SNAPSHOT: Tim Schock 
Running for: Hillsborough County Commission, District 6 
Party: Republican 
Occupation: Owner of Lighting Capital Consulting, Technology and Transportation Systems 

Prior Experience: Board member of Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council; volunteer for Metropolitan Ministries; founding member of Schools for Haiti; coach for Tampa Bay Little League; MBA from Duke University; active member of Grace Family Church in Lutz 
Top Three Issues: Promoting small business development; creating transportation solutions that work; serving as a leader with integrity 

SNAPSHOT: Bob Henriquez 
Running for: Re-election, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser 
Party: Democrat 

Prior Experience: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser since 2013; reduced HCPA’s operating costs; HCPA office earned Certificate of Excellence in Assessment Administration Award; launched new website for HCPA office; replaced HCPA car and truck fleet with hybrid vehicles; partnered with Commissioner Al Higginbotham to pass a county sinkhole ordinance for registry and tracking 

SNAPSHOT: Todd Jones 
Running for: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser 
Party: Republican 

Prior Experience: MAI, CRE and FRICS appraisal designations; internationally recognized expert in property tax valuation and policy; MBA from the University of South Florida; mentor to hundreds of young professionals; educator for the Appraisal Institute, the Florida Bankers School and the University of Florida graduate business school. 

SNAPSHOT: Jose Vasquez 
Running for: Florida House of Representatives District 58 
Party: Democrat 

Prior Experience: Created political and security consulting business Vasquez Enterprise Multiple Service (VEMS); former security guard and security consultant; institute and paramedic training certificate; security training certificate from the state of Florida; EDIC College 

SNAPSHOT: Eric Seidel 
Running for: Clerk of Circuit Court 
Party: Republican 

Prior Experience: Consumer lawyer; Hillsborough Clerk of Court’s Value Adjustment Board; Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce; Hillsborough Bar; Riverview Chamber of Commerce; Hands Across the Bay; Florida Bar; hosted the Ask-A-Lawyer program on FOX 13 for 15 years; honorary Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy; Brandon Chamber of Commerce 

SNAPSHOT: Jim Lange 
Running for: United States Congress 
Party: Democrat 

Prior Experience: 20-year business consultant; mentor through Big Brothers, Big Sisters; service through Special Olympics; six years of humanitarian efforts in post-earthquake Haiti; international humanitarian; human rights activist 

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.